The effects of intravenous anesthetics on mouse embryonic fibroblast viability and proliferation

Purpose: The aim of this study is to evaluate the cytotoxic and antiproliferating effects of intravenous anesthetics on an mouse fibroblast in vitro cell culture system. Methods: The cells were exposed to the usual clinical plasma concentration of intravenous anesthetics, i.e., midazolam (0.15 μg/ml), propofol (2 μg/ml), remifentanil (2 μg/ml), thiopental (10 μg/ml), for 4, 8, or 24 h. Cell proliferation (n = 6 for each) under intravenous anesthetics was analyzed using the MTT (3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl) -2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide) assay. Cytotoxicity (n = 6 for each) of intravenous anesthetics was investigated using a LIVE/DEAD viability assay kit. Results: Intravenous anesthetic exposure time did not affect the proliferation rate of mouse fibroblasts. The cytotoxicity of intravenous anesthetics did not differ in accordance with exposure time. Conclusion: Our results showed that intravenous anesthetics may not affect mouse fibroblast proliferation and viability.